This online programme provides a comprehensive training in hypnotherapy, covering its principles, techniques, and applications. It is designed to help students understand hypnosis, learn therapeutic interventions, and apply them ethically and effectively in professional or self-development settings and for those individuals who wish to integrate hypnotherapy into their  existing clinical practice or start a new career as a clinical hypnotherapist.

This is suitable for:

• Beginners interested in hypnotherapy and personal development
• Health professionals looking to incorporate hypnosis into their practice
• Coaches, therapists, and counsellors seeking to expand their skill set
• Individuals interested in self-hypnosis for personal growth and wellbeing

The programme starts with foundational concepts and progresses to more advanced techniques, making it accessible for beginners while still valuable for those with some knowledge of hypnosis.

No prior experience or qualifications are required for Level 1.

Levels 2 and 3 can be accessed on completion of the previous levels, or if you have prior training, you can submit this to progress.

Email training@ursulajames.com if you are unsure of which entry level will suit you best.

The programme is delivered online through a combination of:

• Video teaching and demonstrations
• Guided hypnosis and hypnotherapy sessions
• Downloadable resources, scripts and supporting materials
• Quizzes, exercises and reflective activities
• Practical exercises and practice sessions
• Experiential hypnotherapeutic sessions

Pathway 1 is completed through the online course materials and is designed for flexible, self-paced study.

Pathway 2 includes the same online course materials, together with scheduled live tutor contact, tutorials, supervised practice and assessment as students progress through the programme.

All three course levels (Foundation, Hypnotherapy and Clinical Hypnosis) are offered in two pathways, so you can choose the one that best fits your goals.

Pathway 1: CPD Online-Only

• 100% self-paced learning — videos, audios & downloadable resources
• Perfect for CPD, supplementary study, or a personal introduction to hypnosis
• No tutor interaction required — start anytime, anywhere
• Completion certificate (not valid for professional practice)

Best for: Students who are interested in learning a new skill, those wanting CPD hours, personal development, or a taster before committing to practitioner training (Pathway 2)

Pathway 2: Accredited by GHR

• Fully structured with tutor interaction, feedback, and formal assessment
• Peer practice pods, recorded submissions, and final evaluations
• Eligible to apply for GHR Practitioner registration

Best for: Students aiming for full professional practitioner status with live tutor feedback and observed practice.

Students following the tutor-supported pathway take part in Live Contact Labs alongside their online course learning.

The Labs are designed specifically for the flexible-start programme. This means students can begin their online training at any time and attend relevant live sessions as they progress. The Labs reinforce and extend the online material rather than simply repeating it.

There are five recurring types of Lab:

Experiential Lab
Experience hypnosis directly through tutor-led sessions using different inductions, deepeners, suggestion styles, therapeutic imagery and ego-strengthening techniques. Students reflect on their own responses and how each session was structured.

Technique Lab
Develop practical hypnosis skills including induction, deepening, fractionation, pacing and leading, utilisation, convincers, voice use, timing, silence, transitions, awakening and reorientation.

Communication & Language Lab
Develop the therapeutic communication skills required for effective hypnosis, including hypnotic language, permissive and directive suggestions, metaphor, sensory and VAK language, questioning, active listening, reframing, rapport and adapting language to the individual client.

Clinical Reasoning Lab
Learn how to decide what to do and why. Students work through cases involving client goals, suitability for hypnosis, contraindications and red flags, treatment choices, maintaining factors, appropriate suggestions and the development of a coherent treatment rationale.

Practice & Feedback Lab
Build competence through observation, rehearsal and structured tutor feedback. Students practise consultation and hypnosis skills with peers or simulated clients, including establishing objectives, identifying modality, explaining hypnosis, gaining consent, constructing suggestions and responding appropriately to unexpected situations.

The balance of the Labs changes as students progress through the programme. Level 1 places greater emphasis on experiencing hypnosis, technique and communication skills. Level 2 introduces more clinical reasoning, treatment selection and condition-based decision-making. Level 3 gives greater emphasis to supervised practice, feedback and more complex clinical reasoning.

The same five Lab categories therefore continue throughout the programme, while the level of clinical complexity and the standard expected of the student progressively increase.

You can find an example of the timetable here.

Pathway 1 students often complete Level 1 in approximately 4–8 weeks, although there is no requirement to do so. Pathway 2 students also start flexibly; completion time depends on individual module progress and completion of the required scheduled tutor-contact sessions, practical work and assessment.

If you have prior experience and would like to go directly on to the level 2 Hypnotherapy course, you can email training@ursulajames.com where we can make an assessment of your skills and training. There is currently a fee of £25 for this assessment.

Yes, upon successful completion of each course of the programme, you will receive a certificate of completion. 

On Pathway 1 you will receive a certificate of completion.

On successful completion of all three levels and Pathway 2 assessment requirements, you will receive the UJHT professional qualification and become eligible to apply for registration with the General Hypnotherapy Register (GHR) at Practitioner level.

Pathway 1 is a CPD and personal-learning pathway and does not provide a professional hypnotherapy qualification.

Students who successfully complete all three levels through Pathway 2, including the required tutor contact, supervised practice and formal assessment, receive the professional qualification and may apply for GHR Practitioner registration. Professional practice should also comply with applicable insurance, ethical, professional and jurisdictional requirements.